We are a neighbourhood advice centre, set up by local people in 1984. We now work in deprived communities across North Bristol and South Gloucestershire, going wherever the need is greatest. We provide welfare benefits advice, including representation at tribunal; debt advice; home visits and income maximisation for older people; and support to combat digital exclusion. Our services work together to enable people to develop skills, improve well-being and make positive changes in their lives and communities.
Why the community needs us
With your support, we help people who are in financial crisis due to debt or benefits problems, and support them to develop resilience in the long term. We can help remove debt burdens, challenge unfair benefits decisions, maximise income, improve financial confidence, develop skills, and increase digital inclusion.
Our impact on the community
Last year, we helped over 1600 people, raised £2,056,449 for clients and helped them manage £1,724,493 of debt. We helped sick and disabled people challenge "fit for work" disability assessments, with an 87% success rate at tribunal. We supported 74 people to increase their digital skills, advised 135 over 50s on their benefit entitlement and visited 49 older people in their homes. As a direct result of our advice, 86% of clients said they were in a better financial situation and 90% felt better able to manage their affairs.
